Baby Boomers Love These Country Singers Who Were Born Before 1950

Country is a diverse and large genre of music. It has its roots in American folk music, where artists would sing old folktales and of their struggles.

Some iconic names currently in the country music scene are Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, and Zach Bryan. But it's also important to look back at big names that influenced recent stars. Here, we have 13 country singers who were born before 1950. Some even continue to perform!

• Birthday: January 19, 1946
• Birthplace: Pittman Center, Tennessee
• Most Notable Songs: "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Here You Come Again," "I Will Always Love You," and "Two Doors Down"

Dolly Parton is legendary in the country music scene. Her career began as early as 1955 as a songwriter. Her first album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," made her especially famous in the 1960s. One of her most popular songs from this album is "Dumb Blonde."

Don't just take it from us; Dolly Parton's won countless awards for a reason. In her over six-decade-long career, Parton has been nominated for 384 awards and won 190.

• Birthday: April 29, 1933
• Birthplace: Abbott, Texas
• Most Notable Songs: "Good Hearted Woman," "On the Road Again," "Seven Spanish Angels," and "Heartbreak Hotel"

Willie Nelson is another spectacular American country singer with decades of experience. He's been in the music industry since 1956. His first single was "No Place for Me," a short 1-minute and 18-second song that sold about 3,000 copies.

He has come a long way since then. The album that really shot him up to fame was "Shotgun Willie," which he released on June 11, 1973. Nelson continues to perform and even act in films.

• Birthday: November 1, 1937
• Birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina
• Most Notable Songs: "For Loving You," "My Life," "I Love You Drops," and "Still"

Like many other great country singers, Bill Anderson is known for a lot more than just his voice. He also has a large career as a songwriter. For instance, Anderson wrote "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking," which was a hit performed by Cal Smith.

Anderson also has a career in film and TV. He hosted "The Bill Anderson Show" from 1965 to 1974. He also briefly appeared in the series "One Life to Live."

• Birthday: April 7, 1935
• Birthplace: Ironton, Ohio
• Most Notable Songs: "Marie Laveau", "A Dear John Letter," "Detroit City," "Worried Man," and "500 Miles Away from Home"

Bobby Bare has lived a long life and has thrived in the music industry. He's been active since 1956, although he didn't grow popular until at least the 1960s.

His first big song was "Detroit City." This lovely song earned Bare a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording.

• Birthday: September 6, 1939
• Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
• Most Notable Songs: "You Never Even Called Me by My Name," "The Ride," "She Used to Love Me a Lot," and "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile"

David Allan Coe doesn't let his age stop or dictate him. Even at 85 years old, Coe continues to perform country music. Over his five-decade-long career, Coe has produced and written country, blues, and outlaw country.

Coe was described as wild during his peak music days. Still, he was a commercial success, producing songs like "Longhaired Redneck."

• Birthday: November 8, 1949
• Birthplace: Burbank, California
• Most Notable Songs: "Something to Talk About," "Thing Called Love," "Angel From Montgomery," and "My Opening Farewell"

Bonnie Raitt deserves a lot more credit. She is a phenomenal country star with decades of experience. Raitt is known and loved for how she incorporates different styles in her songs including elements found in rock, blues, country, and folk music.

Although active since 1971, her first commercial success was with her 1989 album, "Nick of Time." This vibrant and successful album won her a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Her success has only continued as she even recently won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year for her 2022 single, "Just Like That."

• Birthday: December 25, 1948
• Birthplace: Houston, Texas
• Most Notable Songs: "Tonight My Baby's Coming Home," "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," "Fast Lanes and Country Roads," and "To Me"

Barbara Mandrell only retired recently, in 2020. She's an incredibly talented musician who's been performing as young as 12 years old. Mandrell can play the steel guitar, banjo, accordion, saxophone, and a lot more.

Her talent has brought her far places. Not only was she a country singer, but also an actress. She's starred in both "Sunset Beach" and "The Wrong Girl." Mandrell has also written her autobiography, titled "Get to the Heart: My Story."

• Birthday: October 20, 1937
• Birthplace: Maud, Oklahoma
• Most Notable Songs: "You Can't Have My Love," "Fujiyama Mama," "Right or Wrong," and "Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine"

Wanda Jackson is a strong, powerful, and extremely talented singer. She started her career young in the early 1950s and only retired in 2021 to focus on her health.

Although she's known for her country and gospel songs, she first rose to fame as "The Queen of Rockabilly". She was one of the first women to thrive in the rock and roll scene. Jackson also holds many awards including the Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. She's also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

• Birthday: April 2, 1947
• Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama
• Most Notable Songs: "Together Again," "Born to Run," "The Wayfaring Stranger," and "If This Is Goodbye"

Emmylou Harris is a stunning musician, singer, and songwriter. In her decades-long career, she's dabbled in multiple genres including country rock, Americana, outlaw country, and folk music.

Her career began in 1969, but she really thrived in the 1970s with albums like "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town" and "Pieces of the Sky." Her talent has gotten her multiple nominations and awards, including 34 Grammy nominations and 14 wins.

• Birthday: July 27, 1942
• Birthplace: Chickasaw County, Mississippi
• Most Notable Songs: "Ode to Billie Joe," "Okolona River Bottom Band," "Fancy," "I Saw an Angel Die," and "I'll Never Fall In Love Again"

There are so many incredible women in the country music scene. One of the most amazing of them is retired country/soul singer, Bobbie Gentry. She was one of the first women to compose and produce her own music.

Funny enough, Gentry only wanted to be a songwriter but was signed with Capitol Records for her song, "Mississippi Delta." Although popular, she gained more notoriety with "Ode to Billie Joe."

• Birthday: January 16, 1943
• Birthplace: Robbinsville, North Carolina
• Most Notable Songs: "It Was Almost Like a Song," "(There's) No Gettin' Over Me," "I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World," and "Smoky Mountain Rain"

One of the best country singers born before 1950 is Robbie Milsap. He's been in the music industry since 1963 but became successful in the 1970s.

Milsap had a tough childhood with difficulties. He was born almost completely blind, but this didn't stop him from pursuing his dream. He's won multiple Grammy Awards including the 1975 Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his song "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends."

• Birthday: July 15, 1946
• Birthplace: Tucson, Arizona
• Most Notable Songs: "You're No Good," "Somewhere Out There," "Long Long Time," "How Do I Make You," and "When Will I Be Loved"

Linda Ronstadt is a phenomenal artist with a long list of awards and recognition. She's dabbled in country, rock, and Latin music. She first started making music in the industry in 1965. Even as a young teenager, she performed. When Ronstadt was 14, she made a trio with her siblings, and they performed live, locally.

She became very successful during the 70s' with hits like her version of "You're No Good" and "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)." Ronstadt retired in 2011 due to health issues.

• Birthday: April 5, 1931
• Birthplace: Ruxton-Riderwood, Maryland
• Most Notable Songs: "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues," "Sunny Side of Life," "I'll Wander Back Someday," and "Will the Angels Have a Sweetheart"

Bill Clifton is best known for producing bluegrass music, a sub-genre of country. He knows how to play both the guitar and autoharp. Clifton's been producing albums since 1960, with his most recent being "Mountain Laurel" in 2004/2005.

Apart from creating beautiful folk and bluegrass music, he's also credited for being the person to organize the first bluegrass festivals at Oak Leaf Park.